Chapter 7
Meanwhile Edward was sitting in his study, busily writing in his ledgers.
It was a traditional room, lined with panelling from the Elizabethan era.
Sunlight poured in from the garden, through the diamond panelled windows in which the glass was mostly original.
The desk Edward sat behind was large, It had belonged to his father.
He shared his love of oak furniture, and the tradition which had always been acknowledged by Papa that what he had would one day belong to his son.
Edward felt a pang of guilt again, as he recalled him saying this when he was a small child, to whom the desk seemed overly large and daunting.
Even more so now that he hadn’t yet been able to produce his own heir to the Carlfield fortune, one whom he could pass onto all that he had in this lifetime.
Carrying on the family tradition. Not yet having an heir made him wonder sometimes why he continued to try so hard at building his business affairs.
Until something deep inside reminded him that he would have a wife, and at least one son if he carried on believing that this could happen.
Hopefully, daughters too. He had to! If not for his own sake but mama's, and the duty he owed to his family name as the present Duke of Carlfield, to ensure its continuity.
Edward rubbed his eyes. He had been staring at the same set of figures for a while now and had lost concentration.
The loss of Ruth, and the effect of this on his mother, had made him realise the importance of family.
How no man was truly an island, and shouldn't try to live in isolation which he had been attempting to do for far too long. He was also well aware that if his father was still alive, he would more than likely have been encouraging him to produce an heir. Instead Edward had focused on, and taken pride in building his father’s empire since he passed away.
The time had gone quickly, and it was only recently that he realised he had been upholding the reputation and the family’s name on his own for the last nine years.
This train of thought was interrupted by Jenkins, informing him that his mother wished if possible for him to have tea with her in the drawing room.
Edward closed the ledger, and left the study to join her feeling surprised by the amount of small plates, covered in cakes and biscuits, which had been laid on the table for tea.
Cynthia smiled as soon as she saw the look on his face, and told him that she wanted to create a relaxing atmosphere for when she conducted her interview with Miss Barlow.
Edward had mixed feelings about what she had done.
It was a step too far too soon. It seemed that the Duchess had already decided Sophia would be a suitable replacement for Ruth so intended to befriend her, without even meeting her or taking part in an interview.
Clearly this was wishful thinking, which was perfectly understandable and to some extent matched his own.
He hoped very much that Owen’s sister did impress his mother when the two ladies met.
However it still concerned him that Ruth had set a high standard to follow.
She truly had been a wonderful companion.
Nothing had been too much trouble for her to do, and she seemed to understand the Duchess’ every need.
He sincerely hoped again that his mother wouldn't be disappointed with Miss Barlow in any way.
For his own part he was prepared to dispense with the need for references since she was Owen's sister, a companion was needed very quickly, and he was happy to rely on his own judgement of character.
This train of thought was interrupted by Cynthia who told him that she wished he wouldn’t travel as much, and reminded him once again of her wish for grandchildren.
Especially now that she was older. What he had said last night at dinner gave her hope that he was going to take the matter more seriously.
The Duchess hesitated at this point, but she clearly had something else she wished to say to him.
So she continued by reminding Edward that she had hoped something more would come of his relationship with Felicity whom she now understood had given her husband, Lord Longford, a son.
The Duchess' words were enough to turn Edward's thoughts once again to his selfishness in waiting this long to find a spouse.
Admittedly he had time on his side, since he wasn't yet thirty years of age, and however hard he tried he still wasn't entirely convinced that the right woman whom he could love would come along.
Even when he did begin to look for her in earnest. Or at the very least believe he could make a life with.
He began to frown, and quickly stopped himself.
Not wishing his mother to see him doing it.
Nevertheless she didn't know or understand why he had been quite so reticent in the past about speaking to Joey's father, and making a proposal for Felicity's hand in marriage.
Despite the imminent arrival of Mr and Miss Barlow, Ned knew that he couldn't wait any longer to tell his mother the real reason why he hadn't married.
She had clearly only just found out that Felicity was now a mother.
He went to stand next to her chair, and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Mama, I am so sorry you feel hurt. I understand how much you want a daughter-in-law and grandchildren, and I also know how much you are troubled by Ruth leaving you so suddenly.
However the loss of Felicity as a wife wasn't in any way due to laziness, or lack of attention on my part.
It is difficult for me to tell you this, but in the same way as I loved Joey as a friend, I did have similar feelings for her.
Nevertheless it wasn't quite so simple." Edward hesitated, and cleared his throat.
"After Joey was killed in a skirmish with Napoleon's soldiers before the Battle of Waterloo, it left an enormous hole in both of our hearts and lives.
So that each time we looked at each other it reminded us too much of how close, and inseparable the three of us had been as children.
Even so there was a part of me that still couldn't accept I wouldn't have been able to prevent my best friend's death.
Even if I had been in France with him, which would have been against Papa's wishes for me to stay in England.
" Edward sighed heavily. "It was never really spoken of by Felicity and I, but I saw it in her eyes when they misted with tears after she looked into mine.
Both of us had been badly hurt by Joey's death, and strangely enough because we had been so close when he was alive, we couldn't rely on this to console us.
Every time we looked at each other we had too many memories.
With the result that Felicity soon took to avoiding me whenever she could, and I couldn't pursue her.
It didn't seem right or proper to do this.
When the mourning period was finished and she came out, I understand that she accepted the first proposal she received.
As you already know it was from Lord Longford, and now, Felicity has given him a son.
I am very sorry I didn't feel able to tell you sooner, mama, about how I felt.
However, my feelings for Felicity have begun to fade, and you have my word that I shall begin my search for a wife. "
The way the Duchess of Carlfield said, "my poor boy, Ned, I am so very sorry. I didn't realise," only made him love her even more. Making the feeling stronger as she saw that her own eyes had filled with tears.
Neither of them had time to say anything else however, since Jenkins knocked politely on the door to announce the arrival of Miss Sophia Barlow for her interview.